Dating
On dating apps, some guys cant resist bragging about outrageous and questionably true travel stories.
As one says, Hiked to [a] remote Indian village where foreigners werent permitted to touch anything.
TheseJames Bond-meets-Eat Pray Lovefantasies are typically responses to Hinges best travel story prompt.
(I spotted these two within minutes of each other.)
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For this piece, I swiped right on men who feature wild travel stories in their profiles.
If we matched, I told them I was a journalist working on a story.
In guys heads, these stories seem like a good way to express that side of themselves.
Few people I spoke with admitted to being that strategic.
I still cant believe I did that, he said.
Of course, #NotAllMen.
(Dont worry, that stranded backpacker told me he regained feeling in his toes a year later.)
But gender expression sometimes does play an overt role.
You know, as one does.
He was mildly unhappy after that.
I asked what he thought was attractive about this story.
Unfortunately, women dont ask about it much.
Its my one funny story, he said.
I need it to get more airtime.
But Wait, Did That Really Happen?
The pressure to stand out can lead to an inflation of the truth.
While these details are certainly vibrant, visiting a colorful bar is not the same as being colorful yourself.
I never cared about the bad boy stuff.
If thats what a girl looks for, then we wont make it past afirst date, he said.
Alexwants a serious relationshipbut recognizes his profile wont be attractive to everyone.
That [story is] me putting my best foot forward, I guess, he said.
But I dont know who the f*ck would like that.
Thats fine by him as he puts it, you just need to detract everybody but one person.
Hes seeking a woman who shares his sense of humor.
For people less committed to the bit, these travel stories might be a problem.
This works great for starting a family, Notas says.
Doesnt that sound nice?
However, If Your TypeIsJames Bond…
Expert:
Nick Notas, dating coach
*Name has been changed.
